Warm-up drill: Let’s forget, for a moment, about the rankings. With Syracuse leaving next season for the ACC, this could be the last time these two great rivals play at the Carrier Dome. Their intense rivalry defined the Big East for decades, and now it’s ending. That’s why officials are expecting a capacity crowd of 35,012 fans. And now, let’s look at the rankings. The Hoyas, riding an eight-game winning streak, are up to No. 11 in the AP poll and the Orange are No. 8. They’re both tied with Marquette atop the Big East at 10-3. It’s barely possible for this game to be more important than it already is. It’s absolutely required viewing Saturday afternoon.

Inside stat: 138. During Georgetown’s eight-game winning streak, sophomore forward Otto Porter has played like a Big East player of the year candidate. His offensive rating—according to kenpom.com—has been at 138 or above in six of those eight games, with a high of 160 against Seton Hall. For comparison sake, Michigan’s Trey Burke and Gonzaga’s Kelly Olynyk lead the NCAA with offensive ratings of 128.0.

Warm-up drill: If Colorado State wins, the Rams would be tied with the Lobos atop the Mountain West standings at 9-3. Colorado State is 14-0 at home this season; New Mexico is 3-3 in its past six road games, including blowout losses at Saint Louis and San Diego State. In the Jan. 23 matchup between these teams, New Mexico built a 22-point lead only to see the Rams cut it to one possession with fewer than 10 seconds left. The Lobos held on for the 66-61 victory.

Inside stat: 41.7. There isn’t a better rebounding team in the country than Colorado State. The Rams grab 41.7 percent of their missed shots, an offensive rebounding percentage that’s second in the country behind Minnesota’s .448. And, just as important, the Rams are limiting opponents to just 23.1 percent of available offensive rebounds—best in the nation.

Warm-up drill: It’s yet another important game between two good Big Ten teams on a Sunday afternoon. Sounds familiar, right? It is. The Buckeyes need this win for NCAA Tournament seeding purposes. Same goes for the Spartans, though their goal of getting a No. 1 seed is out of Ohio State’s reach.

Inside stat: 6. In the Jan. 19 meeting, a 59-56 Michigan State win in East Lansing, Ohio State junior Deshaun Thomas scored 28 points—exactly half of his team’s total. No other Buckeye scored more than six points. Thomas needs more help for Ohio State to win the rematch.

OVERTIME

Arkansas at No. 5 Florida, Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPNU). There might be an element of payback on the Gators’ minds for their shocking 11-point loss in Fayetteville on Feb. 5. Of course, Arkansas is just 1-6 in road games this season, so it seems likely the Gators will find some element of satisfaction.

TCU at No. 9 Kansas, Saturday, 4 p.m. (Big 12 Network, espn3.com). You probably remember what happened the first time these two teams met, a 62-55 TCU upset on Feb. 6.

No. 13 Kansas State at Texas, Saturday, 8 p.m. (Longhorn Network). Since the game is on the Longhorn Network, it means you probably can’t watch Myck Kabongo try to upend the Wildcats. The Texas point guard is averaging 13.7 points and 4.7 assists in his three games back from suspension, and the Longhorns are 2-1 in those contests.

Southern Miss at No. 21 Memphis, Saturday, 1 p.m. (Fox Sports Network). If Southern Miss wants any shot at an at-large bid, this is a must-win game against a Memphis team that’s undefeated in Conference USA.

Stanford at No. 23 Oregon, Saturday, 8 p.m. (Pac-12 Network). Oregon point guard Dominic Artis (foot) is expected to miss his ninth consecutive game, which means this is an opportunity for Stanford to steal a big road victory.

Montana at Davidson, Saturday, 3 p.m. (ESPNU). Both of these Bracketbuster teams sport shiny conference records—Montana is 15-1 in the Big Sky, and Davidson is 15-1 in the Southern.

N.C. State at North Carolina, Saturday, 4 p.m. (ESPN). This game isn’t a battle for first place in the ACC like many predicted it to be in preseason, but it’s still important. The Tar Heels need NCAA resume fortification, and the Wolfpack must show the Selection Committee that they can win road games against quality teams.

Baylor at Oklahoma, Saturday, 5 p.m. (ESPNU). After losing at home to Iowa State on Wednesday, this game is a must-win game for a Baylor team that’s too talented to be facing must-win games in late February.

Creighton at Saint Mary’s, Saturday, 6 p.m. (ESPN). This is the jewel of the Bracketbuster schedule. Saint Mary’s desperately needs to add heft to its NCAA resume, and Creighton needs a win against a quality foe just to remember what it feels like. The Bluejays are just 5-5 in their past 10 Missouri Valley games after starting league play 6-0.

South Dakota State at Murray State, Saturday, 8 p.m. (ESPN2). This game features two of the best mid-major players in the country — South Dakota State’s Nate Wolters and Murray State’s Isaiah Canaan. Wolters is averaging 23.1 points, 5.6 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game, and Canaan checks in at 21.2 points, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals.

Missouri at Kentucky, Saturday, 9 p.m. (ESPN). This was expected to be a game between two teams battling for the top seed in the SEC Tournament. Instead, it's a must-win for a Kentucky team battling to earn an NCAA at-large bid without injured big man Nerlens Noel.

Ohio at Belmont, Saturday, 10 p.m. (ESPN2). The D.J. Cooper-Ian Clark matchup is worth staying up late to watch.

Illinois at No. 7 Michigan, Sunday, 1 p.m. (ESPN). Michigan won the Jan. 27 matchup by 14 points, but the Illini are playing much better during their five-game winning streak.

Cincinnati at No. 25 Notre Dame, Sunday, 2 p.m. (CBS). Here’s a quick recap of Notre Dame’s past four games: A five-OT win against Louisville, a home OT win against conference bottom-feeder DePaul, a 17-point loss against a Providence team that’s not remotely bubble-worthy and a win at Pitt in a game the Irish missed 18 of their first 19 shots. In a related note, I have no idea what’s going to happen to the Irish on Sunday.

Temple at Charlotte, Sunday, 4 p.m. Atlantic 10 bubble teams face off in what should be an intense game.